Emmanuel Mudiay was a project when the Knicks acquired him in a trade with the Denver Nuggets last season.

The seventh overall pick in 2015, Mudiay had fallen out of the rotation with the Nuggets.

He wasn't in peak physical condition, he struggled to get up and down the court and he was especially a liability on defense.

Mudiay had plenty to work on.

In a season where losses have piled up for the Knicks as they focus on development, Mudiay has made progress.

The point guard has still gone through ups and downs in his fourth NBA season, but he's started to fall into a rhythm.

Still just 22, Mudiay is averaging 25 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists while shooting 53.5 percent from the field, but just 26.7 percent from three-point range, in his last four games.

Mudiay scored 32 points in Monday's blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns, his second 30-plus point performance in a week.

For the season, Mudiay is averaging a career-best 13.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 47.1 percent shooting, 33.3 percent from the perimeter.

He takes some questionable shots at times, but lately he's been able to make them.

The question is whether Mudiay, who has started the last 18 games, can continue at this pace.

"I think it’s enough now that we know that this kid is an NBA rotation player," coach David Fizdale said. "Now how far it goes from there, it’s going to be what he does. But you get in a third of the season and a guy is consistently putting in 20, 30, 20, 30, six rebounds, six assists constantly doing that."

Mudiay's long-term future with the Knicks is uncertain. He has a $12 million cap hold for next season. The Knicks want to clear space to offer a max contract, which means the chances of them bringing back Mudiay are unlikely.

Regardless, Mudiay is going to keep getting chances to start.

He's made improvements. Whether he can sustain them remains to be seen.

"I think the first thing he had to prove to himself and to everyone was is he a legitimate NBA basketball player and I think that’s proven right now so now the next step is can we get him to really grow and develop and show the consistency of what a lead guard can do," Fizdale said. "But he’s really, he’s taken off and really gotten better every day."